Acetylene generator



y 1941- M. P. DE MOTTE ETAL 71 ACETYLENE GENERATOR Filed Sept. 16, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS MHUE/CE 1? DE M0775 IPHLPH C. P/E/PSO/V A TTORNEY y 1941- M. P. DE MOTTE EI'AL 2,242,571

ACETYLENE GENERATOR Filed Sept. 16, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY MAURICE Patented May 2(), 1941 2,242,571 ACETYLENE GENERATOR Maurice P. De Motte and Ralph C. Pierson,

Indianapolis, Ind., assignors to The Prest-O- Lite Company, Inc., a corporation of New York Application September 16, 1937, Serial No. 164,105

19 Claims.

This invention relates to acetylene generators of the water-recession type which operate at pressures above that of the atmosphere, and particularly to an improved generator of this type, and a novel method of operating the same, as well as interference mechanism for insuring a definite sequence of steps in charging or recharging the generator.

The water-recession type of acetylene generator usually comprises a tank containing a body of water and a gas collecting bell having its lower open end extending below the water level in the tank, to provide a generating chamber and a compression chamber each located above the water level and, respectively, inside and outside of the gas bell. A holder containing calcium carbide is mounted within the gas bell, and acetylene is generated by submerging a portion of the calcium carbide in the water in the generating chamber when the water is at the same level in both the generating and the compression chambers. Generators of this type have been provided with a by-pass valve between the generating and compression chambers so that a pressure differential may be established between said I chambers, and various operating pressures may be used. When the by-pass valve is closed, and the pressure of the acetylene in the generating chamber reaches a predetermined value, the water therein is forced therefrom, out of contact with the calcium carbide, and into the compression chamber.

Difiiculties have been encountered in using such water-recession generators due to their construction and mode of operation. The by-pass valve between the generating and compression chambers often leaks, or is inadvertently opened, thus establishing equal pressures within the two chambers, equalizing the water levels therebetween, and consequently generating excessive qauntities of acetylene which are either wasted due to the automatic operation of a safety relief valve, or establish dangerous pressures within the generator.

The generating chamber of a water-recession generator of this type may be purged of any airgas mixture formed upon initially generating acetylene, since the generating chamber is directly connected with the acetyleneconsuming devices. The compression chamber, however, cannot be completely purged of the air-gas mixture formed upon initially generating acetylene, and while this air-gas mixture within the compression chamber may be so diluted that little danger is imminent, nevertheless, its presence constitutes a definite explosion hazard.

The principal objects of this invention are: to provide a water-recession type of acetylene generator wherein the above and other difliculties are avoided; to provide an improved acetylene generator embodying means for preventing excessive generation of acetylene in the event equalization of the water level occurs in the compression and generating chambers; to provide such a generator in which the compression chamber may be thoroughly purged of any air-gas mixture formed upon initially generating acetylene gas; to provide simple mechanism for insuring a definite sequence of steps in charging, or recharging an acetylene generator; to provide a compact acetylene generator in which the accessory equipment may be located on the outside of the generator so as to lie within the circum ferential extent of the water tank thereof; and to provide a new method of operating water-recession generators.

The above and other objects and the novel features will become apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings, in which;

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of an acetylene generator embodying this invention, parts being broken away to more clearly show various novel features;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of a portion of the generator shown in Fig. 1, disclosing the arrangement of the by-pass valve and its connection with the compression and generating chambers;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevation of the valve connections of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line fi4 of Fig. 2'; and

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the calcium carbide holder.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown as applied to a water-recession type of acetylene generator comprising a tank T adapted to contain a body'of water in its lower portion and having an upper portion of less diameter than said lower portion. A cylindrical partition P, constituting a bell and forming a gas collecting chamber, is joined to the tank T to provide an upper neck portion N. The lower end of this partition which is open, is flared outwardly so as to collect any gas arising from unspent carbide within the sludge and extends well below the normal water level within said tank, to form a gas gencrating chamber G and a compression chamber C above said water and on opposite sides of said partition P. The water within tank T is adapted to flow back and forth between the inner chamber G and the outer chamber C in accordance with pressure fluctuations therein, and it will assume the same level in these chambers when the gas pressures therein are equalized. A three way by-pass valve V is adapted to be connected between chambers C and G. One position (horizontal) of the operating handle of valve V establishes communication between chambers C and G; the second or closed position (vertically upward) closes the by-pass between said chambers; and the third position (vertically downward) vents the chamber C to .the atmosphere. A holder H which is adapted to contain a charge of calcium carbide, and having a bottom portion adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in tank T, is mounted within and supported by resilient means such as a compression spring S in the, neck N. The holder H may be forced downwardly into the water by manually operated means such as a cam K engageable with the top of the holder H and conveniently actuated from the outside of the generator. With the by-pass valve V positioned to establish communication between chambers C and G, downward movement of the holder H causes its lower portion and the :carbide therein to become submerged in the water within tank T, thus effecting the generation of acetylene, and building up equal pressures Within the chambers C and G. Upon releasing the carbide holder H, it returns to a position above the average water level in the tank, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The valve V is then positioned to vent chamber C to the atmosphere and the pressure within chamber G causes the water level therein to fall, and to rise in the chamber C until all of the air-gas mixture therein has been expelled. The valve V is again positioned to establish communication between chambers C and G, and the holder H is again moved downwardly to generate more acetylene. When the pressure within these chambers is sufiicient for operating the acetylene consuming devices. valve V is rotated to closed position, and further generation of gas is automatically con-.

trolled in accordance with the pressure differential between said chambers C and G. The spring S normally maintains the lower open end of holder H several inches above the average water level in the chambers C and G, thereby insuring that generation of acetylene will not occur when the gas pressure Within said chambers is equalized.

The tank T comprises a cylindrical shell Ill having a closed-bottom and a foot-ring flange ll welded to the lower end thereof. An annular shoulder plate l2 extends inwardly from the top end of the shell I'll and is welded to the partition or wall P below the upper end of the latter, thus providing the neck N above the plate l2. A hinged cover I4 is adapted to close the upper end of the neck N, and may be held in hermetically sealed relation therewith by a hand wheel I 5 threaded into a screw M which is pivoted on a pin l5. The screw l4 and hand wheel are adapted to cooperate with a pair of spaced lugs l3 protruding from the periphery of said cover M. A pressure gauge 15 for indicating the pressure of acetylene within the generating chamber G is connected to the top of the cover M. The tank T is further provided with a water overflow plug [6 having gripping ears I6, and with handles l1, residue outlet valve l8, and residue agitator l9.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the valve V comprises a valve body 25 having an inlet 26 connected to the generating chamber through two branches of the Y fitting 21. An automatically and manually operable pressure relief valve 28 is adapted to be connected with the third branch of the fitting 21 for relieving excessive pressures within the generating chamber, and also serving as a manually operable vent for venting the generating chamber G to the atmosphere. Another inlet 29 of the valve body 25 is adapted to be connected with the compression chamber C by the pipe connection 30; while a third inlet 3| of said valve body 25 constitutes an auxiliary vent to the atmosphere. A hollow plug 32 having apertures 33 is positioned within the valve body 25 to control the inlets, and a handle 34 is rigidly fixed to an axial extension of said plug. A diametrically opposite axial extension of said plug passes through the back of said valve body 25 and it is adapted to support an interference disc 35 to be described later.

Referring to Fig. 4, it is apparent that the compression or pressure :chamber C is vented to the atmosphere when the handle 34 is in the downward vertical position; that, upon rotation of handle 34 counterclockwise until it is horizontal, communication will be established be tween the compression and generating chambers C and G; and continued rotation of handle 34 to the upward vertical position will close the by-pass between said chambers, as well as the by-pass between the vent 3| and chamber C.

Referring to Fig. 5, the carbide holder H comprises a relatively long cylindrical shell 40 having a plurality of spaced inwardly projecting ribs 4| adapted to guide the cakes of carbide and prevent the same from jamming within the cylinder during the downward movement of the successive cakes as each bottom one is consumed. The lower end of the cylinder 40 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced depending rods 42 having their upper ends welded to the lower portion of the cylinder 40 and their lower ends bent radially inwardly to form a basket which will expose the lowermost [cake of carbide to contact with the water within shell ID. The top of the cylindrical shell :0 is adapted to be closed by a removable cap The car-bide holder H is supported for vertical movement within the neck N of the tank T in such a manner that the basket portion thereof may be submerged within the water in the tank T during the initial stages of acetylene generation. Furthermore, it is necessary to maintain the basket of the holder H at a point several inches above the average level of the water within the compression and generating chambers C and G, after said initial gas generation has been accomplished, so that the carbide within said basket will be out of contact with the water when,its level is equalized within said chambers. In the present embodiment of the invention this has been accomplished by supporting the holder H by a helical compression spring S, the lower end of which is adapted to be supported by an annular shoulder 44 secured to the inside of neck N near the point where said neck is joined to the shoulder plate I2, and the top portion of said spring supports a ring 45. A circumferentially extending bead 46 is secured to the external surface of the cylinder 4!! and rests on the ring 45, thus supporting the holder H so that its basket portion is normally above the average water level within tank T.

Vertically downward movement of the carbide holder H may be efiected by moving the rotatable cam K within the cover I4 to a position to centrally engage the cap 43 on the holder H. Cam K is rigidly secured to a rotatable horizontal rod 50 extending from within the cover I4 through a stufiing box within the side wall of said cover, and having a handle 5| formed on the outside portion thereof. The cam K is so shaped that when the handle 5I is released, the pressure of the spring S transmitted through the cap 43 on the holder H acts to turn the cam K to its normal position, thus automatically allowing the holder H and the unspent carbide therein to return to the initial position above the average water level within tank T. The cooperation between carn K and spring S thus will determine the position of the carbide holder.

Acetylene generated within chamber G passes upwardly within the annular space between neck N and carbide holder H, through a filter F mounted adjacent the neck N; downwardly through a reservoir R; through a one-way swing check-valve leading into a hydraulic back-pressure valve W; thence to the service outlet 0. The valve W is provided with the usual drain plug 52 at the bottom, water inlet level 53, and safety relief valve 54. All of the auxiliary equipment such as the reservoir R; the back-pressure valve W; the by-pass valve V and its connection to the compression and generating chamber and G; and the pressure relief valves 28 and 54 are at tachedto the outside of the neck N of tank T.

Because the neck N is of less diameter than tank suring a definite sequence of steps in operating the generator during such periods. This mechanism is adapted to prevent the manual operation of the relief valve 28 for venting chamber G, unless the by-pass valve V is in position to establish communication between said chamber G and the compression chamber C; to prevent the removing of the overflow plug I6 until the pressure has been relieved through the valve 28; and to prevent the opening of the cover I4 until the overflow plug it has been removed from the side of tank T. In the present embodiment of the invention the interference mechanism comprises a vertically reciprocable rod 60 adapted to slidably pass through an eye 6! on the outside of the tank T. The upper portion of the rod 60 is provided with arms 62 and 53 adapted to be secured to manually operable arms 64 and 65 of the relief valves 54 and 28 respectively. The rod 60 is further provided with a lug 56 in position to pass within a slot formed in an extension of the pivot pin I upon which screw I4 and hand wheel I5 are mounted. An arm 61 extending from the rod 60 is adapted to normally lie beneath the disc mounted on one axial extension of the plug 32 of the valve V. The

disc 35 is adapted to overlie the arm 61 when valve V is in position to vent the compression chamber C to the atmosphere, or when the bypass between said chambers C and G is closed, and to clear the arm 67 only when the valve V establishes communication between said compression and generating chambers. The lower end of the rod 60 is adapted to rest on the removable water overflow plug I6, and when it is in this position, it prevents rotation of said plug I6 by engagement with the ears I5 thereon. It is thus seen that the interference mechanism just described insures the following sequence of steps before the generator can be initially charged or F recharged: the valve V must be positioned so that communication is established between the compression and generating chambers C and G; the arm 65 will then clear the disc 35 and the rod 60 can then be moved vertically upward, thus releasing pressure within chambers C and G through relief valves 23 and 54; while the rod 60 is in its upper position the plug I6 may be removed; next, the rod 6% is moved downward so that lug 68 passes out of the slot in pivot pin I5; and finally, the hand wheel I5 may be loosened and withdrawn with screw I4 from cooperation with the spaced lugs I3 on the periphery of cover I 4 so that the latter may be opened to remove the holder H and charge the same with carbide.

Assuming that the foregoing steps in operating the interference mechanism have been performed, the tank T is filled with water up to theoverflow plug I6, and the hydraulic back-pressure valve W is filled with water to the level of its overflow plug 53.

The carbide holder H is filled with cakes of carbide and is inserted within the neck portion N of the tank T so that the bead 46 will engage the ring and thereby sup-port the'holder within the compression spring S. The cover I4 is then closed and sealed by tightening the hand wheel I5 to firmly engage the lugs I3. Interference rod is then lifted so that the overflow plug It may be secured in position within the wall I0, and the rod is then permitted to descend until its bottom portion rests upon the plug It. In thus'descending, the lug 66 on interference rod 69 passes between the legs of the slot formed within the end ofpivot pin l5, and the arm 6! assumes a position below the interference disc 35 on the valve V.

With the generator in the condition just described, the handle 34 being in its horizontal position to provide communication. between the compression and generating chambers C, G, the cam K is turned to depress the carbide holder H so that the basket portion thereof becomes submerged within the water in tank T, thus generating acetylene within the generating chamber G. As acetylene is generated in chamber G, it rises, forcing a substantial portion of the air within said chamber through the by-pass into chamber C. A small quantity of the acetylene passes over into chamber C forming an air-gas mixture within the explosive range in said chamber. Also. a certain amount of air remains in chamber G which also forms an air-gas mixture in that chamber, which may be vented to the atmosphere by manually operating pressurerelief valve 28. By repeating the steps of generating acetylene within chamber G and venting it to the atmosphere, a high concentration of acetylene gas may be produced within said generating chamber which contains substantially negligible quantities of air. However, the preferred method of attaining a high concentration of acetylene within the chamber G is simply toinitially raise the pressure within said chamber to about two atmospheres. This will give an air-gas mixture in chamber G well outside of the explosive range. The advantage of this preferred method resides in the fact that no gas is wasted by venting.

After a high concentration of acetylene has been established in the chamber G, irrespective of the method employed, and when a suitable pressure has been established within the chambers G and C, the handle is released, and the spring S causes the cam K to be rotated and the holder H to be raised above the average water level. The handle 34 is then moved to its vertically downward position thereby venting the chamber C to the atmosphere. Due to the pressure of the acetylene within generating chamber G, water is forced completely throughout the extent of chamber C until it begins to exit from the vent 3|, at which time the valve handle 34 is moved to its horizontal position thus establishing communication between the chambers C and r sion hazard that may be present with an airgas mixture.

The generator may now be operated at the desired predetermined pressure by submerging the basket portion of the carbide holder H within the water in tank T until the pressure gauge indicates a pressure of approximately two or three pounds above that necessary for the correct operation of the acetylene-consuming devices. When this pressure has been attained within the generating and compression chambers the handle 5| is released, the spring S turning the cam K and raising the holder H as above described, and the handle 34 is moved to its vertically upward position thereby closing the by-pass between said chambers G and C and also closing the vent between chamber C and the atmosphere. As the acetylene is consumed from within the generating chamber G, the pressure differential between said chamber and the compression chamber C will cause the water to rise in the former until it contacts the carbide, thus generating additional acetylene until suflicient pressure has been established within the generating chamber G to force the water downwardly therein and out of contact with the carbide within the holder 1-1. It is necessary to initially establish a pressure within the chambers C and G of a few pounds above that which is necessary for the correct operation of the acetyleneconsuming devices because a differential of a few pounds pressure between said chambers is necessary in order to cause the water within chamber G to rise and contact the calcium carbide within the holder H.

Although the various features of the improved generator have been shown and described in detail to fully disclose one embodiment of the invention, it will be evident that numerous changes may be made in such details, and certain features may be used Without others, without departing from .the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An acetylene generator comprising, in combination, a tank adapted to contain a body of water in its lower portion; means forming a gas collecting chamber and having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank; a carbide holder within said gas collecting chamber adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; and cooperating means associated with said holder and said gas collecting chamber, including resilient means adapted to urge said holder out of contact with said water and manually operable means adapted to be actuated in opposition to said resilient means, for controlling the generation of acetylene.

2. In a water-recession type acetylene generator, a tank adapted to contain a body of water in its lower portion; a bell forming a gas generating chamber and having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank; a gas compression chamber above the normal water level in the space between said tank and said bell; a vertically movable carbide holder disposed within said bell adapted to expose carbide at its lower end to contact with water in said tank; means for limiting the upward movement of said holder to a position such that the lower end of said holder is above the normal water level in said tank; and means disposed between said carbide holder and the wall of said bell for resiliently urging said holder towards its upper limit position.

3. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain a body of water in its lower portion; means forming a gas collecting chamber and having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank; a carbide holder within said gas 001- lecting chamber adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; and cooperating means associated with said holder and said first-mentioned means, including manually operable means for lowering said holder into contact with the water in said tank, and resilient means for automatically returning said holder to a point substantially above the water in said tank when said manually operable means is released.

4. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain a body of water in its lower portion; means forming a gas collecting chamber and having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank; a carbide holder within said gas collecting chamber adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; and cooperating means associated with said holder and said gas collecting chamber, including a spring within said chamber for urging said holder to a position where its lower portion is substantially above the average level of the water in said tank, and amanually operable cam adapted to exert pressure against the top of said holder to force said holder downward against the action of said spring to a position where its lower portion is below the average water level in said tank.

5. An acetylene generator comprising, in combination, a tank adapted to contain abody of water in its lower portion; a partition extending below the normal water level in said tank and dividing the interior of the tank into a compression chamber and a gas generating chamber; a carbide holder within said gas generating chamber adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; cooperating means associated with said holder and said gas generating and compression chambers for preventing the generation of acetylene when the water in the tank is at the same level in each of said chambers, and effecting acetylene generation when the pressure within said generating chamber becomes less than the pressure within said compression chamber.

6. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 5, in which said cooperating means comprises manually operable pressure equalizing means between said chambers, a manually operable device adapted to force said holder from an initial position where the exposed carbide is above the average water level in said generator to a point where said carbide is below said water level, and resilient means within said generator for automatically returning said holder to its initial position upon release of said manually operable device.

7. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water in its lower portion; a partition extending below the norm-a1 water level in said tank and dividing the interior of said tank into a compression chamber and a gas generating chamber; a carbide holder within said gas generating chamber adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; valve means connected to said compression and generating chambers, said. valve means having a common operating element and means constructed and arranged for establishing communication between said compression and generating chambers, for interrupting such communication, and for venting gas from said compression chamber.

8. An acetylene generator comprising outer and inner chambers in liquid and gaseous communication; means for supporting a charge of calcium carbide within the inner chamber normally above the levels of the liquid within the two chambers; a manually operable device for moving at least part of said charge to a point below the surface of the liquid to thereby generate acetylene and build up equal gas pressures in said chambers; means for automatically returning the unspent portion of said charge to its initial position above the level of the liquid within said inner chamber upon release of said device; means for interrupting the gaseous communication between said chambers, whereby, upon withdrawal of acetylene from the inner chamber the pressure in said outer chamber causes the liquid ,to rise within said inner chamber and to contact at least part of said charge in its initial position to further generate acetylene and equalize the gas pressures within the two chambers; and means preventing the opening of said generator prior to the re-establishment of gaseous communication between the inner and outer chambers.

9. An acetylene generator comprising in combination; a tank adapted to contain water in its lower portion and to form a pressure chamber in its upper portion; means forming a gas collecting chamber and having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank; a carbide holder within said gas collecting chamber adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; manually operable pressureequalizing means associated with said chambers; and cooperating means comprising manually operable pressure-relief means connected to said chambers, and interference mechanism connected to said equalizing means for restricting the relief of gas from said chambers until the gas pressures within said chambers have been equalized.

10. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 9, in which said cooperating means comprises manually operable pressure-relief means associated with said chambers, and interference mechanism associated with said equalizing means for preventing access to the interior of said generator until the gas pressures in both of said chambers have been equalized and released.

11. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 9, in which the wall of said tank has a water overflow opening; a plug normally closing said opening; and said cooperating means comprises manually operable pressure relief means associated with said chambers, and interference mechanism associated with said equalizing means for preventing the removal of said plug until the gas pressures in both of said chambers have been equalized and released.

12. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 9 having an openable closure at the top of the generator for removing said holder; the wall of said tank having a water overflow opening; a plug normally closing said opening; and in which said cooperating means comprises manually operable pressure relief means associated with said chambers and interference mechanism adapted to restrict the opening of said closure, said interference mechanism being so constructed and arranged that the gas pressure between the chambers must be equalized before pressure can be relieved, the gas pressure must be relieved before said plug can be removed, and said plug must be removed before said closure can be opened.

13. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain a body of water in its lower portion; a partition extending below the normal water level in said tank and dividing the interior of the tank into a compression chamber and a gas generating chamber; a carbide holder within said gas generating chamber adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in saidtank; cooperating means for preventing the generation of acetylene when the water in the tank is at the same level in each of said chambers, said cooperating means comprising manually operable means for effecting equalization of the gas pressures in said chambers, and resilient means for normally urg -ling said holder to a position above the average water level within said tank.

14. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain a body of water in its lower portion; a partition extending below the normal water level in said tank and dividing the interior of the tank into a compression chamber and a gas generating chamber; a carbide holder within said gas generating chamber adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; cooperating means for preventing the generation of acetylene when the water in the tank is at the same level in each of said chambers, said cooperating means comprising manually operable means: for equalizing the gas pressures in said chambers and a manually operable cam adapted to engage the top of said holder for depressing said holder to a position where the exposed carbide is below the surface of water in said tank.

15. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water in its lower portion; a partition extending below the normal water level in said tank and dividing the interior of said tank into a compression chamber and a gas generating chamber; a carbide holder within said gas generating chamber adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; means for establishing and interrupting communication between said compression and generating chambers, said means comprising mechanism for venting said compression chamber .to the atmosphere through an auxiliary vent when said communication means is interrupted.

16. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water in its lower portion; a partition extending below the normal water level in said tank and dividing .the, interior .of said tank intoa compression chamber and a gas generating chamber; a carbide holder within said gas generating chamber adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; a unitary structure including a three-way valve for establishing and interrupting communication between said compression and generating chambers and for purging said compression chamber.

17. A method of-generating acetylene within a generator of the type having intercommunicating water and gas chambers which comprises, lowering a charge of calcium carbide into contact with the water thereby generating acetylene in one of said chambers until a predetermined pressure has been established within each of said gas chambers; interrupting gaseous communication between said chambers; moving said charge of carbide out of contact with said water and to a position above the average water level in said chambers, thereby preventing generation of acetylene when the water in said chambers assumes said average level, and efiecting generation of acetylene whenthe pressure within the chamber in which the gas is generated is less than that in the other.

18. A method of generating acetylene which comprises submerging a portion of a charge of calcium carbide within a body of water in a tank thereby generating acetylene; collecting said acetylene within a gas collecting chamber which is adapted .to communicate with a compression chamber, both of said chambers being above the Water within said tank and having their lower ends in free liquid communication; venrting said compression chamber to the atmosphere until it is completely filled with water which is forced from said gas collecting chamber by the pressure of the acetylene therein; interrupting such venting and establishing communication between said gas collecting and compression chambers until a predetermined and equal pressure of relatively highly concentrated acetylene is established within each of said chambers; interrupting said communication; and moving said carbide charge outof contact with said Water, thereby preventing generation of acetylene when the water in said chambers assumes a common level.

each of said chambers; interrupting said com- '19. A I method of generating acetylene as claimed in claim 18 in which said communication is continued until a predetermined and equal pressure of acetylene is established within 

